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NARRATIVE 

OF 

MAJOR ABRAHAM LEGGETT, 

OF THE ARMY OV THE REVOU'TION, 

Koic fir!<t Printed from the Orig in (d Manv script. 
WUITTRN ny HIMSELF. 

WITH 

AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES, 

BV 

CHARLES I. BUSHXELL. 




N E W Y O R K : 
P R I V A T K I , Y P U I X 'i' K IJ . 

18f)5. 



■■:^^ 







Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, liy 

CHARLES I. BUSHNELL, 

In tlio Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 

Southern District of New York. 



ABRAHAM ALSOP LEGGETT, 

{Eldest Son of Major Leggett), 

A3 A TOKEN OF ESTEEM AND FRIENnSHII> 

IS 

RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. 






INTRODUCTION. 




AJOR ABRAHAM LEGGETT, the 

author ^of the following narrative, was 
the son of John Leggett, by his wife 
Sarah, and was born in the town of West Farms, 
Westchester County, N. Y., on the third day of 
January, 1755. 

When about seven years of age he lost his father, 
and was placed under the care of his grandfather, 
William Leggett, with whom he remained until the 
death of that gentleman, when he was taken under 
the care of his uncle, Abraham Leggett. He 
continued with him until he had reached his four- 
teenth year, when he was apprenticed to Phineas 



IV INTRODUCTION. 

Hunt, and subsequently to Samuel Yan Black, 
to learn the trade of a blacksmith. His oppor- 
tunities for education were, therefore, but very 
limited, his early years being devoted to the toils 
of a trade, and occasionally to the labors of a farm. 

When the troubles with the mother country 
assumed the proportions of civil war, our author 
took a decided and active part in support of the 
rights of the colonists, rendering to his country 
some important services, and distinguishing himself 
in the contest by his courage and patriotism. He 
was engaged in the battle of Brooklyn, where 
he behaved with gallantry, and he took an im- 
portant part in covering the retreat of the Ameri- 
can army from Long Island, being one of the 
last to leave the shore. 

He was afterwards engaged in the action at 
Harlem Heights, and in the battle of White Plains. 
Subsequently he was ordered to Fort Montgomery, 
on the Hudson, and when that post, after a stout 
and bloody resistance, fell into the hands of the 
British, he became a prisoner of war, and was con- 
lined in the Old City Hall in Wall-street, and 



INTRODUCTION. 



afterwards in the Old Provost in tlie Park, where 
he suffered at the hands of the enemy the greatest 
privation and cruelty. 

Our author remained a prisoner until the year 
1781, when his liberation was effected by exchange. 
He subsequently rejoiiied the' army, and • was 
engaged in various skirmishes and expeditions, 
chiefly in New Jersey and on Long Island. He 
remained thus engaged nntil near the termination 
of the war, discharging his duties with zeal and 
ability, gaining the respect and esteem of his com- 
rades, and retiring from the service with the 
character of a fearless soldier, a spotless patriot, 
and an upright, honest man. 

At the termination of the war, he opened a 
crockery store in Peck Slip, I^. Y. ; afterwards went 
to Charleston, S. C. ; subsequently moved to Georgia, 
and then returned to New York. Here he became 
engaged for a while in the dry goods business as a 
member of the house of Lcggett, Drake & Co., and 
then went into the blacksmith's business, under a 
contract with the Government of the United States. 
He subsequently moved to Illinois, where he 



VI INTRODL'CTION. 

remained for two or three years, returning to New- 
York about the year 1822, after which time he did 
hut Httle business. 

Major Leggett was twice married : first to 
Rebecca, daughter of John Morgan, of Huntington, 
L. I. By her lie had two children. She died 
at North Salem, in "Westchester County, N. Y., on 
tlic twelfth day of June, 1T80. His second wife 
was Catharine Wiley, of New Rochelle, who died 
in the city of New York on the twenty-ninth 
day of November, in the year 1839. By this lady 
he had nine children, among which was William 
Leggett, so well known as an able writer, and as 
the editor at one time of the " New York Evening- 
Post," a paper which then held, and still retains, 
for editorial ability, the tbremost rank among the 
press of our city. 

In his personal ajDpearance, our author was about 
five feet eight inches in stature, and rather stout. 
His eyes were of a hazel color, and his hair origi- 
nally dark. He had a fine, full, open countenance, 
kind and benevolent in expression. In his bearing, 
he was dignified but cordial, and his manners were 



INTKODUCTION. Vll 

aifable and pleasing. In his religious belief, he was 
a Presbyterian, and, for the last few years of his life, 
a member of the Dutch Eeformed Church. He was 
an original member of the New- York State Society 
of the Cincinnati, having been admitted at its 
organization, and in the year 1838 was elected its 
Vice-President, which office he held at the time of 
his death. He died, after a short illness, at the 
residence of his son, Abraham A. Leggett, in the 
city of New York, on the sixteenth day of 
January, 1842, in the eighty-eighth year of. his 
age. His remains, followed by a large con- 
course of sincere mourners, were conveyed to 
the Presbyterian burying-ground in Houston- 
street, where they were interred with every mark 
of honor and respect. 

At the request of his children, Major Leggett, in 
the latter part of his life, commenced writing out a 
narrative of his revolutionary services. This, how- 
ever, he did not live to complete. The part which 
is extant, and which we here present to the reader, 
though faulty in orthography, the result of his 
defective education, is nevertheless worthy of pre- 



VI 11 INTRODUCTION. 

servation. As a narrative of a snfFerer in tlie 
British prisons in our city, it is not only interesting 
but valuable, and it is equally so as the record of 
one who was not only a coteniporary, but a promi- 
nent actor in the memorable struggles of the 
•' times that tried men's souls." 




NAERATIVE. 



itjW ^^^^^ 'J^i'" Jau'y 3d, 1755. My farthei 
.lohii, (i) the son of William Joined A Com- 
pany of Volenteers and march'd for Canaday 
in the year 1759 — they Proceded as far as 
Lake George and there he was Taken with 
the Feyer and died within four days, in the 
year 1162 — my mother left West farms and moved 
to Newtown, Long Island, with four Children — 
one sister older than myself and Two yonger and a 
yonger Brother. My Grand Farther Capt. William 
Leggett had a desire to have me left with him. I at 
this Time was about Seven years of age — my Grand Farther 




10 NAKKATIVE. 

(lied in 1764 or 65 — 1 then Remaned with my uncle Abra- 
ham till I was 14 years old. I was then Put apprentice 
To Phenas Hunt, Blacksmith — there I had but a Poor 
opertunity to Get the Trade for I was Put to the Farming 
more than Shop. I grew dissatisfide and aplyde to my 
Gardian my uncle A, that 1 had no Prospect for larning the 
Trade being kept mostly on the farm. In July my Inden- 
ture was Given up after Serving him three years for my 
vittels and a Very scant Supply of Clothes : In August I 
Came to New York and Put myself apprentice to Sam'l 
Van Black, Black Smith — this was in the year 1772. I 
was then at the Jany following 18, and agreed to stay with 
him four years, but in '75 the Troubles with England com- 
menced, and nothing to be done, and I had an oppertuuity to 
Get in Public service. I agreed to Go on to Pokipsey and 
do work on'the Two Frigates (2) that was to be Built there 
by order of the Coutinal Congress then sitting In Philadel- 
phia on the first of Febru'ry 1776 several that was Engaged 
and walk'd to Pokipsey 83 miles — there I was Engadg'd 
Till the first July. I then with several others Formed our- 
selves in a company under the command of Barnardus 
Swartout (3) all VoUenteers — the Times began to appear 
Very Interesting — the British Fleet and large army was at 
Statten Island (4) — we march'd off In High Spirrits Till we 



NARRATIVE. 11 

Got to the Calder-barrack near tlic Croton River — there we 
Staid but three Days for Derection — we then had news that 
EiigUsh army was Preparing to land on Long Island (b) — 
that they Easy affected under Tlie Protection of Shiping — 
our army was at this Time on Brooklin Hights * fortifying as 
fast as they Could — tlie Enemy advanced upon Part of our 
army under tlie com'd of Lord Sterling (e) and General 
Snllivan (,) — they Faught on the Retreat to flat Bush 
Hills, (g) There the battle became Very Hot but the 
Enemy was too Powerful — they e.xtended there write wing 
so as to Cut off the Retreat of our detachment from the 
main array which they succeeded in and they kill'd and Cap- 
tured many, amongst them was several officers and the Two 
Gen'ls — many was Drownded in the mill Pond. (9) This 
took Place 28th august 1776 (10)— the next day the 29, 
Capt. Swartout crowsed with us to the Island and we was 
Placed on the Left from the Hill call'd Fort Green (u) to 
Wallabout — the Two armies close in Yiew of Each other, 
and for three Days the Rain fell in Torrents so that we 
could not Cook — then was the first Time I was Brought to 
Eat Raw Pork — the last night we was on the Island 
myself and Several of Yolunteers was Put on advanced 
Centres with speshel orders How to behave Should we discover 

* A battery of eight guns was constructed liere. 



12 NARRAIIVK. 

the Enemy advancing — the niijht was Foggy & Very Dark. 
Some Circumstance made all the Centres Return on the 
lilies but myself — my Remaning at my Station was Imputed 
to Bravery. Early in the morning yet Very Dark we was 
Paraded under the Report that we was to attack the 
Enemy in there lines we was Led around we new not where 
till I Saw the old Stone Church of Brooklin(i2) — then an 
officer Riding by Says, a Groce mistake — we was orded to 
wheel about and Reman the lines, wich we did — a dangerous 
attempt — there we Remaned Till Some Time after — we then 
formed the Rear Gard we was orderd forward, Still expected 
to meet the Enemy Till we found ourselves at the Ferry and 
the army all cross'd (13) But the Gard then under the 
Command of Gen'l Mifflin (,4) — we then was order'd to 
Choak up the Street with waggons and Carts to Prevent 
the Light Horse from Rushing Down upon us — at this time 
no boats — I Prepar'd myself to Swim the River flood tide 
But Fortunately Two Battoes Struck the Shore — by this 
Time there was but a Few of us left — we all Hurred on 
Board and Shoved off — the Enemy Rush'd Down on the 
Hill and Commenced a Brisk fire. Fortunately no one was 
Hurt in our Boat— the other Boat had four wounded — we 
Remaned in the Town Two days then our Capt. march'd us 
up the Island to near King's Bridge— after our army had all 




THE OLD DUTCH CHURCH, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 



NARRATIVE. 13 

Ci'oss'd the Enemy was Preparing for Furtlier operations. 
Two Frigates came threw the Buttermilk Channel (is) and 
came to anchor off Turkel & Kips Bay to cover the landing 
of there army from Long Island — at this Time our Troops 
was Retreating up York Island — the Enemy advancing till 
Harlem Hills — there our Troops Gave Battle (le) — the 
Battle was Severe for a Time. I was at the Morris 
House (i-) when Major Henley (is) was brought In mortally 
wounded who Soon Expir'd — we Repulsed the Enemy and 
kepd the Ground for a time — it was soon found that the 
Enemy was Preparing there Flotilla for the Sound — Gen. 
Swartout was orded to move off the Island and Take Post 
on Tippets neck on the East Side of Spitendevil (19) — at 
this Time I Got liberty to Visit West farms — when I Got 
there I saw the whole River from Hellgate to Flushing Bay 
Cover'd with Crafts Full of Troops, and my unkels Family 
moving off — at this Place Colonel Hand with his Rifle 
Reg't was station'd — as soon as I Got Back to the Com- 
pany I was order'd with a small Escort to Procure Teams to 
move off our Stores and Baggage — the next day we arrived 
at the white Plains — the British Landed and was In new 
Rochelle — they moved on to near the Plains when Gen'l 
McDugal (20) engaged them at Chatterton Hill(ai) and 
there He kepd the Ground — the Battle was Severe (as) — 



14 NARRATIVE. 

the next day Capt. Van Vike of Fish Kill with a small Party 
Took the Koad towards marroiicck and fell in with a Party 
i)i' English Horse and Exchang'd firing when our Capt. 
Rec'd a ball in the Head by the hat Band — they was too 
many for us, but we bore off our Capt. and Hid him in the 
Thicket and the next morning we went down and Bro't him 
off and Buried him — at this time the English army was 
Filing off to the left To the attack of Fort Washington («) 
and our army moved to wriglit towards Peaks Kill the 
Chief of whom was order'd to Cross the River — by this 
Time fort Washington was Closely Invested — while the 
main Part of Enemy was Crossing the north River Wash- 
ington thought Best to abandon Fort Lee, (a*) as Fort 
Washington was Surrender'd (as) — at this Time the weather 
was Getting Very Cool. Gen'l Swartout Brigade was 
Posted on the South Side of the First mountain north of 
Peaks Kill. In December we had Very Cold weather and 
Severe Snow Storms — all this Time we was In Tents — we 
had to build Chimnies with Sods and Stone at one End of 
Tents — about the fir.st Jan'y we was discharged. On my 
Discharge I was Presented with a Commistion In the 
Standing Army. I was A Good deal Surprized at it for I 
was Very little known and unsolisited for. I was so Strong 
a Patriot that I Very Readily accepted and was orderd To 



NARRATIVE. 15 

Join Col'l Lewis Debois Regiment and Take his orders — I 
did and was Sent on the Recrutiug Service. I was kept on 
that Service for some time — I Took my First Station at 
Bedford, Westchester County and made my Home at Ehjah 
Hunter's that winter and as uncle Leggett tlien was at 
Poundrige with his family I went there Part of the Time. 
In the Spring I Took my Station at and near Tipper Salem. 
I made my Home at Isaac Nortons and in that and Spring 
of 1777 I Enlisted 45 Good men for army most of them for 
During the war — as I had been more successfuU than many 
others I kept on that Duty — in May I obtain'd a Flag on 
my own ^ /q and Several others to Cross the Sound to 
Huntington, to fetch off some Familys and in the Company 
Two yong Ladys, a Miss Smith who was under Engage- 
ment to Joseph Titus and R. Morgan (sb) who was also 
under Promise to myself. While we lay at Huntington 
Harbour the Famous Creditable Expedition of Governor 
Try on (27) from New York landed at Compo between nor- 
walk and Fairfield, march'd up Through the Country to 
Danbury where was a large Quantity of Provisons and 
Stores and Destroy'd the whole and the Town and on there 
way back they Burnt Richfield and Norwalk (as) — as soon 
as they Had accoraplish'd that Enterprize they suffered us 
to depart — on our arrival at Norwalk we was astonish'd. to 



16 NARRATIVE. 

Behold the destruction and on arriving at Ridgfield we 
beheld Several of the wounded and Dying — one man had a 
ball threw liis head and was Still alive — at Every breath the 
blood would l)lubber up Tho' he had been wounded before. 
I Remaned a few Days at Salem and 29tli may was 
Married. In a few days I had to Join the Regiment at 
Fort montgomery (29) in the Highlands — there I Remaned 
till 4th Oct'r at night 1 was (mler'd with Gard and Boat 
down to Verplanks Point (so) to Recornoiter and observe 
the Conduct and movements of a British Frigate that had 
Got there. I Reman'd there all night with muffled oars — 
all was Quiet — at day I Return'd as orded and Reported — 
on 5th In the Evening Col'l Bruen was Sent down to the 
mountain first above Stoney Point — this was in Consequence 
of the Information of a large Force arrived there — they 
Tarried there Till morning — saw no movements and Return'd 
To Fort but as it seemed when our Gard left the mountain 
the Enemy ascended for the Col'l and his Gard had not Got 
there Breakfast before we had news the Enemy was ascend- 
ing the mountain — a strong Party was orded To meet 
them — we met them in the hills and Bushes Two miles from 
the fort. Part had Got up the mountain and a part had 
Gone Round to attack the other part of Fort — we Faught 
them on a Retreat the Two miles till we Enter'd fort Clin- 



NARRATIVK. 17 

toil (si) on the west Side of Kill — the Two Forts where 
connected by a Bridge. Part of the force was orded over 
the bridge to montgomery — by this Time it was Very Dark. 
A Flag was sent and met by Col'l W. Livingston — there 
Demand was for a Surrender — the answer was they must 
Take it. Soon as the answer was Return 'd Col. Carabell 
who Commanded the attack as soon as he was Informed the 
answer he Grave orders to spare none — they Came on Very 
Furiously and was Beat back and the Second and third 
Time when the Chief of line was Silenced all but the 
Redought I was in Commanded By Left. Col'l Bruen and 
Major Logan — at This Time we was Closely beset by Col'l 
TunbuU of Brittish and offered Good Quarters To Surren- 
der and was accepted l)ut the moment we Surrender'd they 
Crowded in upon us and l^egan to Strip and Pillage what 
Ever we had on or about us. (32) I spoke To TunbuU 
myself Sir you Promist us Good Quarters — your Soldiers 
are stripping us and leaving us naked — his answer was They 
have Captur'd the Fort at the Risk of There lives and I 
Cant Restrane them — we had then to Submit — it was 
Fortunate For us that Cambell (33) who was for Putting all 
to the Sword Fell in the first Repulse — had he Survived I 
dought if any would have been Spared as We was Informed 
he was a Very Blood thirsty fellow. They lost In tliat 



18 NARRATIVE. 

Eutcrprlze Five Field officers and near 600 in all killed and 
a Grate many wounded — we lost But Trifling In killed and 
the most of Them after Surrender. We kill'd our number — 
we had not to Exceed from 6 to 100 and the half of them 
was new Recrutes and Raw millitia — that night on 6th 
Oct'r we was taking to the Barracks for Confinement — it 
So happend that I was put in the same Room that I occu- 
pide before the attack and my Baggage was safe But it was 
not long before Some of these Hungry officers Came in the 
Room and asking Silly Questions 'fook the liberty to 
Remove our Trunks out of the Room under the pretence of 
searching for arms — a Capt. J. Barns of Emmirick Core 
whose station was on the lines — when Barnes attempted to 
Remove the Trunk I claim'd and Told him I was the oldest 
son of John Leggett who was his Very Intimate Friend — 
he said he was only Going to search for arms — if he Pound 
none would Return the Ti"unk but he did not find any I well 
know, but the next Day I Saw him Dress'd In ray Clothes 
and what I most Regi*etted was a pair of Small Clothes of 
the Best make of Alsup & James Hunt Leather Breeches 
makers (34) — we was Cai)tur'd on monday Evening 6th 
Octo'r — after Dark — we was kept in the Barrack Till 
Wednesday in the Forenoon when we was taken from thence 
and Couvaid Down the north River a little below Peaks 



NARRATIVE. 19 

Kill and Put on Board of a Small Transport Ship Call'd the 
Mertell a Capt. Coats — we was in all about 300 officers and 
Privits Crowded up In Heaps between Decks being so 
Crowded that one Half Could not he Down at the Same 
Time and So Close we Clould Scarsely Respire — a Grate 
Call was made For water — after Considerable Delay there 
was a Tub or Bucket put down but so foul that altho' we 
was almost Dying for Thirst Could not Drink it — at the 
same Time at low Tide the water along side was Drinkable — 
the officer who had the Gard at this Time on Deck was a 
Capt. or Lt. Robertson a son of Beverly Robertson whose 
Family then Lived at there Seat a little above Fort mont- 
gomery whose young Ladys and the mother the night 
Before the Fort was Taken Eutertaind Gen'l Putnam (35) 
with that Pleasing attention that he forgot what he had 
been informed off the night before by myself. Had he 
attended and Sent over the Forces he had in his Power, we 
should not have been Taken, (se) Sir H. Clintons Effective 
Force at that onset was more than 3000 strong — while we 
was lying at anchor I formed a Plan of Going on shore. I 
had Prepared myself with a Rope by making it fast to the 
stantion and Crawling out feet foremost I Could lower 
myself in the water and swim for the East Shore I was fully 
confident I Could Gain the shore, But Col'l Brown and 



20 NARRATIVE. 

major Logan sit In to Perswade rae from the attempt as it 
would Cause more severity with the Rest on board — There 
Treatment was so severe they had some Fear that we would 
attempt to Rize on the Gard For they Placed Two 4 
Pounders at the Hatch and Loaded and Pointed down the 
Hatchway with a threat if we made the least noize they 
would Fire Down amongst us — we was kept so Close that 
Several was near sufficated — on Saturday morning the ship 
Came too at the Forrage Yard then kept at Bear mar- 
ket (37) — about 10 o'clock we was landed and the officers 
was seperated from the privits — they was sent To the Sugar 
House and the officers was Escorted to the main Gard then 
in the Old City Hall (ss) at the Head of Broad st— all this 
Time we had nothing to Eat, but that night Col'l Wil'm 
Livingston sent a note to Mr. Simons (so) who kept a Public 
House at the Corner of nassaw st. By that means we was 
supply'd for that Time — on Sunday morning we was 
Escorted From that Prizen to the new Jail (40) Call'd The 
Provost Gard and at both Removes we was Very Highly 
Complemented on the way by the loyal subjects with all the 

hard names they Could think of, such as D d Reljels 

and all other Fulsom names they Could think of. We did 
look Very Bad for the soldiers Stripp'd whatever we had on 
that was worth Taking off. I saved myself from being 



NARRATIVE. " 21 

StrippVl fur the nioniiiiy- we was orderd out to meet the 
Enemy I Put on the Poorest Clothes I had not wisliing- to 
dirty Good ones. On our way up nassaw st. near Maiden 
hine I espide my yongest sister Susan (n) standing on 
Mr. Norwood's (42) Stoop — as Soon as she Espide me She 
(h'opp'd* — I saw no more of Her — she Could not Get to see 
me but Sent me some Beding aud Provisons that was of 
Grate Releaf — when we Got to Gard House we was 
Divided — 12 of us was shut in the north Corner Room on 
the First floor and 13 was Put up on the second floor East 
Corner Room — after we was Shut in the Keeper Came In 
and Seareh'd and Took Everything we had about us not 
leaving a pen knife aud on Wednesday they Threw in 
through the Hole in the Door Some Raw salt Beef and a 
little Damaged sea bread — as soon as the bread fell on the 
floor it Took legs and Ran in all Directions — so full of life — 
the flower was Very Filthy — more like Hog sty than any- 
thing else — This was Ten Days without Drawing Provisions 
after Taken — the Reason they Gave for their severe Treat- 
ment they said we had attempted to set the Barracks on 
Fire at our leaving tliem to go on board but the Case was 
soon Changed after the Capture of Burgoine and His 
army (43) of which we Got news In Prizen before the matter 

* She fainted. 



22 NARRATIVK. 

was known in the Citty Except by Some of Higher officers — 
the way the news w^as Convaid to the Prisen was in a Large 
Loaf of Bread — the statement on Paper and Placed in a loaf 
and Baked and was Sent Colonel William Livingston who 
was Taken with us — as soon as that was Read in the 
Congress Room, the whole Prizen Resounded with three 
Cheers (44) — the keeper was alarm'd with Such an uproar as 
he Call'd it — Hasten'd to the second floor to know what was 
the uproar — then He was Inform'd — he denide it and Said it 

was a D d Rebbel lie — after this was fully known we 

was offer'd our Porlows as other officers on our Signing a 
Declaration wich they offer'd that we Did not attempt to 
leave fire as was against us — we then signed the Parole 
Bond and was Taken out of Prizen on the first day of Xov'r 
and Placed at different Houses in and about Bedford three 
miles from Brooklin — we was only in that Situation one 
Month for we was Too much In View of the Movements of 
British — from that we was Scatter'd to Various Parts — as 
for myself I was Put to Board at New Utrich where nine 
months and Lived Very well as the Family did — from thence 
was sent a | mile Further to make Room for some British 
officers. This was at the Time the British army was 
Retreating From Philadelphia. T was now at Rutgers Van 
brunt W'ho was the High Sherif — while there I Had a severe 




OLD PROVOST, 

NEW TORK. 



NARRATIVE. 23 

attack of the Billious Fever. I was Confined Ten days — as 
soon as I was able to go about I was Removed from there 
to Mr. Abr'm Sniderkers at New Lots on the Jamaca Road 
about Eight miles from the ferry and was Very Comfortable 
situated — there I Remain'd till the 28th Day of Febnary 
when I obtain'd a Parole To Visit my family — the next day 
the first march Commenced a Very Severe Blustering snow 
storm and continued three weeks — all that Time I was 
detain'd — Could not Cross the Sound — at last the weather 
became moderate and I Cross'd the Sound with Capt. 
Brewster to Fairfield, Connecticut, and when I arrived at 
Salem at Esq'r Leggett and there I Found my wife and 
Child well and Happy to meet again after 18 months 
absence and the Child Eleven months old who is now the 
wife of Capt. J. Breath (45) and the mother of nine 
Children. While I was a Prizener I Had Very Flattering 
offers if I would Join the British, or m otherwise would Take 
Protection and Go into Business in New York — my answer 
was, I have put my Hand to the _Plow and Cant look 
Back — I shall Stand by my Country — We Remain'd at my 
unkels Esq'r Leggetts Till the Last april — I then Rented a 
small Tenement of Cap't Jabes Trusedal at north Salem, 
and Took an old Smithshop and went to work at my Trade. 
I Remain'd there Till the next Spring 17*18. I then Rented 



24 NARRATIVE. 

a small farm of the commisioners of Sequestration and let it 
out on shares. In June my wife Rebecca was Confined with 
her second Daughter, Rebecca — the third Day She Expir'd — 
Then I was left alone with Two Small Children — the oldest 
but Twenty months. I soon Broke up House keeping and 
sold what few Goods I Had — my oldest Child Betsey I 
Took to my aunt Leggett and the Infant I Put to nurse to 
A Miss Hoxey who nursed with a bottle on Cows milk, and 
kept her three and a half years Till my second marriage. (46) 
In the year 1781 I was Exchanged when A General 
Exchange Took Place by a Resolution of Congress where 
there more of the Rank than was Requir'd — The Senior 
officer Had his Choice to Remain or Retire on Half Pay for 
life and to Receve all the Emolleraents as if still In the 
Ranks. In 1182 Major Jesse Brush was Commission'd By 
Govenor Clinton (47) To Go on to Long Hand In a Privite 
manner and Endevour to obtain Hard money on Loan For 
to supply some of the wants of the Troops who was Gratly 
Suffering for the want of Every thing and our Paper money 
was nothing. Maj'r Brush Took myself with him — we 
Remaind on the Island about three weeks In a Privit 
manner. In that Time He arranged with Several Persons 
for Specie and How to be Convey'd over the Sound. One 
day while tliere I spent the Day at Solomon Smiths : who 



NAREATIVK. 25 

Resided on the Shore at the mouth of Smith Town Branch— 
the old man was a Grate Tory — he was a widower with 
Three Daughters— fine Girls and Good whigs. I Pass'd 
myself to the old man as a Butcher From N. York Looking 
for M Cattle and Sheep — the old man Had been Plunder'd 
by Both sides he Told me and was Grately Distress'd and 
did not know what he Should do for Bread for the family. 
In The afternoon' the old man rode out — the Girls was 
fearful in the afternoon that they might be Visited by Some 
of the Refugees from Fort Slongum(48) — Advised me to 
Retire up stairs Till night for Fear. In the Evning I Join'd 
our Party in the Bush whare we was snpplide with a Good 
Repast by the Hands of the miss Smiths — and that after- 
noon arrangements was Enter'd with The Cap't of a Gard 
Vessel that lay in the Harbour To let us Pass with our 
Boat as we was only a Privit Party with no Hostile Inten- 
tions — he Gave us the Counter Sign and late in the Even'g 
we Road out of the harbour — by the Time we Got nearly i 
over the East wind Increasing Caused so much sea we found 
it necesary to Bare away for the long Island shore with 
our whale Boat, nine of us in her — we landed at a Place 
four miles East from whare we set out call'd the north 
Swamp — as soon as we landed the only one In the Company 
that knew whare to Go was myself. I Took T. Williams (49) 



26 NARRATIVE. 

with me to Procure some Provisoiis about one to the widow 
Floyds. I had been There l)efore — we was supplide with 
what we wanted and Return'd to tlie Boat whicli Had been 
Carried up in the Edge of the Buslies and Turned Bottom 
up for it Came on to Rain and Storm — about 4 o'clock it 
held up — three of our Party went on the Hill under a 
Chesnut Tree. While there They was surprized by a Party 
of Refugee Torys they Then Rose over the hill Close upon 
the Rest of us. The day before we had Presented to us 
several of Riviugton Royal Gazette — Lieut. Ketchum was 
overlooking one and I was Reading over his sholder when 
the stunning yell, Surrender you Dam Rebels and at the 
Instant fired a Voley down upon us — we all started for the 
Swamp not more than 5 or 6 Rods. I had not been 
more than seated in my mud and water Seat than the 
Cry was Here is the Track of one and another snug out the 
Same — from the Yoice I knew it was mine — the first one 
Sung out here is one — who is it — maj'r Brush. Dont Hurt 
him was the Cry. I was Very Glad to hear That for as he 
was a Very active man I had my fears. By this Time the 
Persuer on iny Track Came in full View of me — at the 
moment he brought his Gun from liis Right Sholder on his 
left arm the Bayonet fixt my Thought was he then was 
a going To Sciver me. I determin'd in my mind to Surreu- 



NARRATIVE. 27 

der at the lustaiit he (xave auotlier long Stride to another 
Bog- which brong-lit a hush between us — as he made His 
Step I was Rising up but I Soon Crouch'd again — So they 
Pass'd off — they then assembled a Round tlie boat — Some 
went after a waggon and Horses about a mile to the settle- 
ment and Return'd with it, Took the Boat and what Else 
there was and Drove off. (50) I Remain'd in my Soft seat 
for I dare not stir for fear some whare left to watch the 
Swamp — when it Got Quite Dark I Drew myself Softy out 
of the mud and sneak'd a Cross the Fealds to the House I 
had l)een at the night before and with the Soft Tap at the 
back part of the house window, it was not long before the 
window open'd — the Girls Saw my Situation — all wet and 
muddy. Miss Floyd Got her father's Cloths — he was a 
small man and I Considerable Stouter. I Had Difficulty to 
Get them on — when done I was Present'd with a flask of 
Cherry Bounce — the Cordal Came in Good time. Then 
follow'd other Refreshments — we then sat on the bed side — 
a yong Lady on Each Side — they then Gave me the 
account of the Refugees — they was in the Place some time, 
Press'd waggon and Horses, and with Boisterous behavour 
and Threats — from the Girls I first Learnt that Ketchum 
was Shot — after Talking some time I was furnishd with n 
Blanket and was waited upon by the Girls to Barn — 



28 NARRATIVF. 

wiieu we Came to the door Miss Floyd observed the B-arii 
Door was not fast on tlie out Side as usal but Concluded 
some of the Party had been in after Straw — after Talking- 
a wliile they bid me Good night and fastened the Door on 
the outside as usal — as soon as they was Gone and I Turn'd 
myself Round to Get in the Straw I was Surprized to hear 
footsteps in the Hay — the first Thought that occur'd the 
Refugees had Got in before me — the Door not fast on the 
ouiside strengthend that Idea — all that I Could do in that 
dillema was to Show Bold — therefore I hail'd Boldly, who is 
there — by the answer the Voice I new.* Tie Replide, 
" is that you Leggett" — ray answer, yes — his Reply, God I 
am Glad — So there was Two Glad — he being in his wet 
Clothes I Gave ray Blanket and Slepd in The Straw Yery 
Comfortable Till morning — at an Early hour the Faithfull 
Girls Came with a Very Good Brecfiist, Coflfe, Toost, and 
Beef Stake, of the best, and Plenty Good soft Peaches. 
They staid and Chatted Till Time to Prepare For Church 
about 4 miles at what is Call'd at head of the Branch — at 
there Return, we was Servd with Dinner — they was so 
Good as to Spend a Considerable of The afternoon — at Tea 
Time we was sarved in Stile — In the Coarse of the Day 
there was dispatched one of the sons To see if Ca])t. Bruster 
* The name of this person was Timothy Williams. 



KARHATIVE. 



29 



was over— the answer was favcjrable, So in the Evening- we 
was furnished with Two Horses and a Guide to Conduct us 
to the Place— we was Ree'd on board and by Day light In 
the morning- we Landed at Black Rock, Fairfield, Glad that 
we was on Safe Ground— not long before, we heard from the 
Captives by some of there Friends that went to see them- 
They Express'd there Joye that I was not with them For on 
there march to Fort Slongum they met Doct. True whom I 
had caused to be stop'd the winter before near Bedford— he 
Drew his Sword and to show them How he would Serv'd 
me, he Cut and Hack'd the Bushes about him— they said 
he Had the appearance of Savage, and had I ben There He 
would have Put his Threats in Execution. 



^^^^:^ 





NOTES 



(i) John Leggett, the fathei* of our author, was the son of 
William Leggett, of West Farms. His grandfather, Gabriel 
Leggett, the first of the name that settled in the State of New 
York, was born in England in 1G35, and came to New York 
in the year 1661. He settled in that part of Westchester 
Connty, now known as West Farms, where he married 
Elizabeth, daughter of John Kichardson, one of the first 
patentees of the place. She was still living in 1714. Gabriel 
Leggett's will is dated April 16, 1697. lie left three sons — 
John, William and Gabriel — and one or more daughters. 
His son William had two sons — Abraham and John — the 
latter of whom was the father of our author. Major Leggett. 
The subject of this note was born in West Farms on the 
4th day of Jan., 1732. His wife's maiden name was Sarah 
Alsop. She was the daughter of Thomas Alsoj), of Newtown, 
L. I., who served for some years as a magistrate, and after- 
wards went into the mercantile business in New York, where 



32 NOTES. 

he (lied in Sept., 1743, in liis 56tli year. Iler mother was 
Susannah, daughter of Eobert BUackwell. Mr. Leggett was 
married to Miss Alsop on the 5th day of Jiine, 1753. On the 
death of her husband in 1762, Mrs. Leggett returned to 
Newtown, her native place, where she subsequently married 
a Mr. Lawrence, and it is believed that she died in that town. 

(n) These frigates were the Montgomery, of 24 guns, Cupt. 
John Eodge^ and the Congress, of 28 guns, Gapt. Thomas 
Orennall. They were built at or near Poughkeepsie, on the 
Hudson river, in pursuance of a resolution of Congress of 
December 13, 1775. They never got to sea, as the British 
held the mouth of the river from August, 1776, to Novem- 
ber, 1783. In the year 1777, when- Sir Henry Clinton took 
the forts in the highlands, these two vessels, having been 
ordered down for the defence of the chain, were burnt by 
their crews to prevent them from falling into the hands of 
the enemy. 

(s) Col. Bernardus Swartwolt was the son of Bernardus 
Swartwout, a prominent merchant of New York, and was 
born on the 26th day of September, 1761, After the 
Kevolution, he w'ent with his father into the brick and lumber 
business in New York city, in which he continued for many 
years. He was one of the original members of the New York 
State Society of the Cincinnati, and in the year 1794 was 
elected its Assistant Treasurer. In the year following, he held 
the office of Secretary of the same organization. He died at 
Greenburgh, Westchester County, N. Y., on Friday, October 
8th, 1824, in the 69th year of his age. His remains were 
interred in tlie graveyard of the Dutch Reformed Church 
at Sleepy Hollow. 



NOTKS. 33 

(4) " The Britisli troops landed on Staten Island on the 3d 

July, 1776. A part of the stock had been taken off. The 

inhabitants, who were about 350 men, were supposed to be 

generally opposed to the Revolution." 

Heath's Memoirs, p. 48. 

(5) " The British coninianders, having resolved to make 
their first attempt on Long Island, landed their tro()})s, esti- 
mated at about 24,000 men, at Gravesend Bay, to the right of 
the Narrows, on the 22d Aug., 1770, The Americans, to the 
amount of 15,000, under Maj. Gen. Sullivan, were posted on a 
peninsula between Mill Creek, a little above Red Hook, and 
an elbow of the East River, called Wallabout Bay. Here they 
had erected strong fortifications, which were separated from 
New York by the East River, at a distance of a mile. A line 
of intrenchments from the Mill Creek enclosed a large space of 
ground, on which stood the American camp, near the village 
of Brooklyn. Tliis line was separated by a range of hills, 
covered with thick woods, which intersect the country from 
west to east, terminating on the east, near Jamaica." 

Holmes^ Annals, Vol. 2, p. 245. 

(e) William Alexander (commonly known as Loed Ster- 
ling), was born in the city of New York in the year I72(i, and 
was the son of James Alexander, a Scotchman, who took 
refuge in America in 1716, after an active espousal, during the 
previous year, of the cause of the Pretender. His mother was 
the widow of David Provoost, better known in the city of 
New York a little more than a century ago, as " Ready 
Money Provoost." The subject of our sketch received an 
excellent mathematical education, and obtained some dis- 
tinction as a man of science. In the French and Indian war 



34 XOTES. 

lie acted as Aid-de-camp and Secretary to Gen. Sliirley, and at 
the close of the war accompanied him to England. He 
returned to America in 1761, and soon after married the 
daughter of Philip Livingston. In March, 1776, he was 
appointed by Congress a Bi-igadier- General, and in April 
following took command at New York. He was taken prisoner 
at the battle of Brooklyn, but was soon after exchanged, and 
in February following, was appointed Major-General. He was 
subsequently in the battles of Brandywine, Germautown and 
Monmouth, and in 1781 was stationed at Albany, to command 
the Northern army. In the year following he made Phila- 
delphia his head-quarters, and in the Spring he again took 
command of the northern troops, and located himself at 
Albany. lie died there on the 15th January, 1783, from an 
attack of the gout, in the 57th year of his age. 

(7) Maj. Gen. John Sullivan was born in Berwick, in the 
State of Maine, on the 17th day of Feb., 1740. After studying 
law he established himself in the profession in New Hamp- 
shire. Turning his attention to military affairs, he received, 
in 1772, the commission of Major, and in 1775, that of Briga- 
dier-General. The next year he was sent to Canada, and on 
the death of Gen. Thomas, succeeded him in command of the 
army there. In this year he was promoted to the rank of 
Major-General, and was soon after captured by the British in 
the battle on Long Island. He was subsequently exchanged, 
and rejoined the army. At the battles of Trenton, Brandy- 
wine and Germantown, he commanded a division, and was the 
sole commander of an expedition to Newport, R. I., which 
failed through want of cooperation of the French fleet. In 
1779 he commanded an expedition against the Indians. He 



NOTES. 35 

was afterwards a member of Congress, and was for three years 
President of New Hampshire. Tn 1789 he was appointed a 
judge of the District Court, and continued in that office until 
his death, which occurred Jan. 23d, 1795. 

(s) The Flatbtjsh Hili.s— the chain of liills or high ground 
running across the IsLand, in a northeasterly direction from 
New Utrecht on the south, towards Hempstead Bay on the 
north, forming the boundary line between Brooklyn and New 
Utrecht— a natural line of defense. 

(:,) The MiLLPOND here mentioned is that of Brower's Mill, 
the oldest of the eight tide-mills which until within a few 
years existed in the boundaries of Brooklyn. The pond was 
formed by damming off the head of Gowanus Kil, or Creek. 
This mill, in 1661, was held conjointly by Isaac de Forest and 
Adam Brower, the latter of whom subsequently became its 
sole owner. It was probably held on a lease, as the land 
belonged to Jan Evertsen Bout, who in 1667 gave "the corn 
and meadows, and place whereon the mill is grounded," to 
the children of Brower. The mill subsequently came into the 
hands of Freeke, from whence it is often called "Freeke's 
Mill," also as the " Old Gowanus Mill." There is a good 
representation of it in " Lossing's Field Book of the 
Revolution," vol. 2, p. 810. 

(xo) The battle of Brooklyn took place on the 28th day of 
August, 1776, and resulted in the complete victory of the 
British. The total loss of the Americans was estimated 
at more than 3,000 men in killed, wounded and prisoners. 
Among the latter were Major-General Sullivan, and Brigadier- 



36 NOTES. 

Generals Lord Sterling and Woodhull. Almost the entire 
regiment of Maryland, consisting of young men of the best 
families in that province, was cut to pieces. Six pieces of 
cannon fell into the power of the victors. Tlie loss of the 
English was very inconsiderable ; in killed, wounded and 
prisoners, it did not amount to 400 men. 

For accounts of the battle, see — 

Freeman'' s Journal, Sept. 28. 1776. 

Thompson'' s Hist. Long Island, vol. i., p. 216. 

Onderdonk' s Suffolk and Kings Counties, p. 132. 

Gordon, vol. ii., p. 306. 

Holmes' Am. A7inals, vol. ii., p. 245. 

Samuel Ward's paper, Knickerbocker Mag., vol. xiii.. [i. 2>!1. 

Martin's Narrative, p. 17. 

(ii) Fort Putnam, now known as Fort Green, and Wash- 
ington Square, was a redoubt with five guns, and connnanded 
the East River and the roads api>roaching Brooklyn from the 
interior. An iutrenchment extended from Fort Putnam north- 
westerly, down the hill to a spring (in 1852 in a tanning- 
yard, with a pump in it, near the intersection of Portland 
street and Flushing Avenue). This spring was then on the 
verge of the Wallabout. 

Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution, vol. ii., p. 806. 

(12) The Old Stone CnuEcn here referred to, was the 
Dutch Reformed Church, erected about the year ITOG, in the 
middle of the road from the Ferry to Flatbush (now Fulton- 
street, near the vicinity of the burying-ground, between Hoyt 
and Smith streets), and was the second church edifice which 
had stood on that spot. The old church was square in form, 
and was built of stone. It had high windows, with painted 



NOTKS. '^7 

glass of a grape-vine pattern. It had a sort uf liunip-backed 
roof, surmounted by a cupola. It was the "alarm post" of 
the American forces during the battle of Brooklyn, and until 
after the Revolution, the only eluirch edifice in the town. 

(13) This ditilcult movement was etiected with great skill 
and judgment, and with complete success. Heaven remarkably 
favored the fugitive army. A southwest wind springing up at 
eleven, essentially facilitated its passage from the island to 
the city ; and a thick fog, hanging over Long Island from 
about two in the morning, concealed its movements from the 
enemy, who were so near that the sound of their pickaxes and 
shovels was heard. In about half an hour after, the fog 
cleared away, and the enemy were seen taking possession of 
the American lines. Gen. Washington, as far as possible, 
inspected everything. From tlie commencement of the action 
on the morning of the 27th, until the troops were safely 
across East River, he never closed his eyes, and 'was almost 
constantly in the saddle. His wisdom and vigilance, with the 
interposing favor of Divine Providence, saved the army from 

destruction. 

Holmes' Annals, vol. ii., p. 248. 
Gordon, vol. ii., p. 314. 

(14) Thomas Mifflin was born in Philadelphia about the 
year 1744, of parents who were Quakers. He engaged early 
in opposition to the measures of the British Parliament. In 
1772 he was a representative of Philadelphia in the Colonial 
Assembly. In 1774 he was a member of the First Congress, 
and in August, 1775, was appointed Quartermaster-General. 
He was with Gen. Washington at Cambridge, and in the 
Spring of 1776 was commissioned a Brigadier-General in the 



oo notf:s. 

Continental army. He was made Major-General in Feb.. 1777, 
and be continued in service during the war. In 1783 he was 
a representative in Congress, and in the autunm of that year 
was appointed its president. In 1787 he was a member of the 
Convention which formed the Constitution of the United 
States, and liis name is attixed to that instrument. In 
October, 1788, he succeeded Dr. Franklin as President of the 
Sup)-eme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, in which station 
he continued till October, 1790. He was elected the lirst 
governor of Pennsylvania, under the pi-ovisions of the new 
Constitution, and held the office for nine years consecutively. 
By his personal exertions he greatly assisted in quelling the 
" Whisky Insurrection," in 1794. Gen. Mifflin died at Lan- 
caster, Pa., Jan. 20, 1800, at the age of 56. 

(15) Buttermilk Channel — the name given to the stream 
of water between the Red Hook Point and Governor's Island. 
There is a strong tradition that in early times this stream was 
fordable, but that this was not the case is clearly disproved 
by reference to B. Ratzer's Map of New York City, made in 
1766, [see Valentine's Manual, 1854, at p. 320,] on which a 
depth was given at that time to the channel of three fathoms 
of water. 

(la) The action at Harlem Plains took place on the 16th 
September, 1776, and was a very spirited affair, reflecting the 
highest credit on the part of the Americans. The following 
account of the action is given by one who was an eye witness 
and participator in the contest : 

" The next day, in the forenoon, the enemy, as we expected, 
followed us 'hard up,' and were advancing througli a level 



NOTKS. 39 

field; our rangers and some few other light troops, under the 
command of Colonel Knowlton, of Connecticut, and Major 
Leitch, of (I believe) Virginia, were in waiting for them. 
Seeing them advancing, the rangers, &c., concealed themselves 
in a deep gully overgrown with bushes ; upon the western 
verge of this defile was a post and rail fence, and over that 
the forementioned field. Our people let the enemy advance 
until they arrived at the fence, when they arose and poured 
in a volley upon them. How many of the enemy were killed 
and wounded could not be known, as the British were always 
as careful as Indians to conceal their losses. There were, 
doubtless, some killed, as I myself counted nineteen ball-holes 
through a single rail of the fence at which the enemy were 
standing a^hen the action began. The British gave back and 
our people advanced into the field. The action soon became 
■warm. Colonel Knowlton, a brave man, and commander of 
the detachment, fell in the early part of the engagement. It 
was said by those who saw it, that he lost his valuable life by 
unadvisedly exposing himself singly to the enemy. In my 
boyhood I had been acquainted with him ; lie was a brave 
man and an excellent citizen. Major Leitch fell soon after, 
and the troops, who were then engaged, were left with 
no higher commanders than their Captains, but they still 
kept the enemy retreating. 

Our regiment was now ordered into the field, and we 
arrived on the ground just as the retreating enemy were 
entering a tliick wood, a circumstance as disagreeable to them 
as it was agreeable to us at that period of the war. We soon 
came to action with them. The troops engaged, being rein- 
forced by our regiment, kept them still retreating, until they 
found shelter under tlie cannon of some of their shipping, 



40 NOTES. 

lying in the North river. "We remained on the battle-ground 
till nearly sunset, expecting the enemy to attack us again, but 
they showed no such inclination that day. The men were 
very much fatigued and faint, having had nothing to eat for 
forty-eight hours, — at least the greater part were in this 
condition, and I among the rest. While standing on the field," 
after the action had ceased, one of tlie men nt-ar the Lieut. 
Colonel complained of being hungry ; the Colonel, putting his 
hand into his coat pocket, took out a piece of an ear of Indian 
corn, burnt as black as a coal, ' Here,' said he to the man 
complaining, ' eat this and learn to be a soldier.' " 

Martin s Narrative, p. A'l. 
See accounts of this engagement also in 

Lossing's Field Book, vol. ii., p. 818. 

Graydons Memoirs, p. 19y. 

Holmes' Annals, vol. ii., p. 249. 

(17) The "MoHKis House," which is still standing, is located 
on the bank of the Harlem river, at wliat is now IGOth-street, 
a little below the High Bridge of the Croton Aqueduct. It 
was an elegant mansion, and was, at the commencement of 
the Revolution, the residence of Col. Roger Morris. He, 
siding with the King, fled to the residence of Beverly Robin- 
son in the highlands, and liis house became the headquarters 
of Washington. The house and lands adjoining, after the 
war, became the property of Madame Eliza B. Jumel, subse- 
quently the widow of Aaron Burr. Here she lived many 
years, and here she died. Sunday morning, July 16, 1865, 
in her 92d year. 

(is) Major Thomas Henly was a native of Charlestown, 
Mass. He was the Aid-de-camp to Gen. Heath. He volun- 



NOTES. 41 

teered to join the party under Lieut.-Col. Jackson, who, on 
the 22d September, 1776, witli 2-40 men, in three fiat-boats, 
made a descent on Montresor's, now Randall's Island, of 
which the British had taken possession. The troops in one 
boat only, effected a landing, and these were driven back with 
the loss of fourteen men killed, wounded and missing. Ilenly 
behaved with great courage, but was shot just as he was 
entering tlie boat, and instantly expired. He was buried 
below a hill where a redoubt had been thrown up in the 
road. Here Col. Knowlton, who had been killed at the 
engagement at Harlem Plains, was buried, and Ma-jor Henly 
was laid by his side. 

(19) Spyt den Dyvel Creek, with the Harlem river, of 
which it is a part, forms Manhattan Island, on which the city 
of New York is built. It is about thirteen miles above New 
York, and flows into the Hudson. It is here that Irving 
laid the death of Antony Van Corlaer, the trumpeter of the 
chivalrous Governor Stuy vesant. It is therefore a classic spot 
to the lovers of mirth. 

(20) Majoe-General Alexander M'Dougall was the son 
of a Scotchman who sold milk in the city of New York, and 
the son, when a boy, assisted the father in the business. The 
subject of our sketch took an early stand on the side of the 
colonists, and when the war broke out he joined the army. 
In August, 1776, he was appointed a Brigadier-General, and 
in the month of October of the year following, he was com- 
missioned as Major-General. He commanded the Americans 
in the action at White Plains in 1776. and was in the battle 
at Germantown in the autumn of 1777. In 1781 he wa 



42 NOTES. 

elected a delegate to Congress, and subsequently was chosen 
a member of the New York State Senate. He died in the 
month of -June, 1780. 

(21) Chatterton Hill lies on the nortlieast corner of the 
town of Greenburgh, in Westchester County. The Chatterton 
family, from whom the hill derives its name, have been long 
residents of Greenburgh. A member of this family was settled 
on the hill as early as 1731. It was upon this hill that the 
chief part of the battle of White Plains was fought. 

(•22) The battle of White Plains was fought on the 28th 

October, 1776. The Americans were commanded by Gen. 

McDongall, and the British by Gen. Leslie. The action was 

but partial, and was undecided. The loss on both sides was 

about equal. Among the persons wounded on the side of the 

British, was Lieutenant-Col. Musgrave, commanding the 

light infantry ; among the killed was Lieutenant-Col. Oars, of 

the .3.5th, and Capt. Evelyn, of the 4th regiment. Among the 

wounded on the side of the Americans, was Col. Smallwood. 

■'While the engagement was going on," says Ramsay, "the 

baggage of the Americans was moved off in full view of the 

British army. Soon after tliis, Washington changed his front; 

his left wing stood fast, and his right fell back to some bills. 

In this position, which was an admirable one in a military 

point of view, he both desired and expected an action ; but 

Gen. Howe declined it, and drew off his forces towards 

Dobb's Ferry. The Americans afterwards retired to North 

Castle.'^ 

Ramsay's Am. Rev., vol. i., p. 314. 



N< )TES. 43 

The following acconnt is <;iven by on? who participated in the 
engagement : 

" Wlieii we arrived at the camp, the troops were all 
parading. Upon inquiry, we fonud that the British were 
advancing upon us. We flung our turnip plunder into the 
tent — packed up onr things, which was easily done, for we 
had but a trifle to pack, and fell into the ranks. Before we 
were ready to march, the battle had begun. Our regiment 
then marched olf, crossed a considerable stream of water 
which crosses the plain, and formed behind a stone wall in 
company with several other regiments, and waited the 
approach of the enemy. They were not far distant ; at least, 
that part of them with which w^e were quickly after engaged. 
They were constructing a sort of bridge to convey their 
artillery, &c., across the befoi-e mentioned stream. They 
however soon made their appearance in our neighbourhood. 
There was in our front, about ten rods distant, an orchard of 
apple trees. The gronnd on which the orchard stood was 
lower than the gronnd that we occupied, but was level from 
our post to the verge of the orcliard, when it fell off so 
abruptly that we could not see the lower parts of the trees. 
A party of Hessian troops, and some English, soon took pos- 
session of this ground ; they w^ould advance so far as just to 
show themselves above the rising ground, fire, and fall back, 
and reload their muskets. Our chance upon them was, as 
soon as they showed themselves above the level ground, or 
when they fired, to aim at the flashes of their guns — their 
position was as advantageous to them as a breast work. We 
were engaged in this manner for some time, when finding 
ourselves flanked and in danger of being surrounded, we were 
compelled to make a hasty retreat from the stone wall. We 



44 n<>tp:s. 

lost cotnparatively speaking, very few at the fence ; but wlien 
forced to retreat, we lost, in killed and wounded, a con- 
siderable number. One man who belonged to our company, 
whfen we marched from the parade, said, ' Now, I am going 
out to the field to be killed ;' and he said more than once 
afterwards, that he shuuld be killed ; and he was — he was 
shot dead on tlie field. I never saw a man so prepossessed 
with the idea of any mishap as he was. We fell back a little 
distance and made a stand ; detached parties engaging in 
almost every direction. We did not come in contact with tlie 
enemy again tiiat day, and just at night we fell back to our 
encampment. In the course of the afternoon the British took 
possession of a hill on the right of our encampment, which 
had in the early part of the day been occupied by some of the 
New York troops. This hill overlooked the one upon which 
we were, and was not more than half or three-fourths of a 
mile distant. The enemy had several pieces of field artillery 
upon this hill, and, as might be expected, entertained us with 
their music all the evening. We entrenched ourselves where 
we now lay, expecting another attack. But the British were 
very civil, and indeed they generally were, after tliey had 
received a check from Brother Jonathan, for any of their rude 
actions; they seldom repeated them, at least, not till the aftair 
that caused the reprimand, had ceased in some measure to 
be remembered." Martin's Narrative, p. 40-41. 

-See also accounts of the battle in 

Gordon's Am. War, vol. ii., p. ;!39-34;5. 

Holmes' Am. Annals, vol. ii.. p. 250. 

Pennsylvania Evening Post, Nov. 14, 177<5. 

(■is) ToKT Washington was situated on the east side of the 
Hudson, about ten miles from the city of New York, and its 



NOTES. 45 

remains are still to be seen. The fort consisted of a strong 
earth-work, covering with its revelins, several acres, and 
jnounting twenty heavy guns, besides sundry smaller pieces, 
and mortars. On the i>romontory beneath it (Jeffrey's Hook), 
where the telegrapii mast now stands, was a redoubt, intended 
to act as a covering defence to chevanx-de-frise, which there 
crossed the channel to Fort Lee, on the opposite side of the 
river. A short distance northward of Fort Washington, 
between 19.5th and 198tli -streets, is the site of a small redoubt 
of two gims, taken by the British on the morning of the 
capture of Fort Washington, and afterwards strengthened by 
them, and named Fort Tryon. Still further north, about two 
miles above Fort Washington, at 217th-street, stood another 
two-gun redoubt, called Cock Hill Fort, which was taken by 
the British at the same time. 

(24) Fort Lee was .situated on the west side of the Hudson, 
about ten miles above the city of New York, and nearly 
opposite Fort Washington. The site of the old fort was upon 
the bluff above, where commences the Pallisade range. The 
fort was hastily evacuated by its garrison after the fall of 
Fort Washington, and most of its artillery, a considerable 
part of the tents and baggage, and some hundred barrels of 
flour, were taken, besides six officers and staff, and some 
ninety-nine privates. 

(•25) When the American army retreated to White Plains, it 
was decided to leave a large garrison in Fort Washington, in 
order to prevent the enemy from ascending the Hudson 
River. This fort was on a high piece of ground, very difficult 
of ascent, especially towards the north. The fortifications, 



4:6 NOTES. 

though not sufficient to resist heavy artillery, were believed 
to be in a condition which would prevent any attempt to carry 
them by storm. The garrison consisted of some of the best 
trooi)s in the American army, and the commander, Col. 
Magaw, was a brave and intelligent officer, in whose courage 
and skill great confidence was placed. The attack on the fort 
was made on the ICth November, 1776. Four divisions of the 
enemy, led by their principal officers, attacked it in four 
different quarters. The garrist)n, and particularly the rifle- 
men, under Col. Eawlings, behaved bravely. The Hessians 
were several times driven back with great loss ; but these 
combined and vigorous attacks were at length successful. 
The ammunition in the fort being nearly exhausted, and all 
the outposts driven in, the commander, on being a second 
time sunnuoned, agreed to capitulate (>n honorable terms. 
After the surrender, the gari'isou, numbering about 2,000 
men, were crammed the first night for safe-keeping into a 
barn on the Morris farm, then the IJritish Head-quarters. 
The night was warm and the feted air engendered from so 
many breathing lungs, became ])ositively insupportable. 
There was a constant cry for water, which was not with- 
held ; but the pressure prevented many from reaching it, and 
they had to endure the most agonizing thirst the whole night. 
Capt. Graydon, of the Pennsylvania line, who was one of the 
prisoners, informs us in his memoirs, " that he could liken the 
scene to none otliei- than the 'Black Hole of Calcutta.' " To 
add to their distress, they had to endure the jeers and taunts 
of their enemies, without the power of resentment. The next 
day the prisoners were marched to the city of New York, 
where they were thrown into prisons and prison-ships, and in 
those miserable, loathsome dungeons, a large portion of them 



NOTES. 47 

died from hunger and disease. Gen. Washington was situated 
where he could view several parts of the attack, and he 
exclaimed at the barharities pvacticed by the British. It is 
said that when he beheld his men bayoneted, and in that way 
killed, while begging for quarter, he could not refrain from 
tears. The loss of Fort Washington was the severest blow 
the Americans had then felt, and spread a deep gloom for a 
while over the American cause. 

Graydon's Memoirs, p. 197-210. 

Ramsaifs Am. Rev., vol. i., p. 395. 

Gordon^ s Am. War, vol. ii.. p. 349. 

Holmes' Am. Annals, vol. ii., p. 250. 

New Hampshire Gazette, Dec. 10, 1776. 

(•26) Rebecca Morgan was the daughter of John Morgan, of 
Huntington, L. I., who was by occupation a farmer. She was 
born in Huntington on the rth day of .June, 1758. She was 
married to Major Leggett, at Xorth Salem, Westchester 
County, J^. Y., on the 29th May, 1777. She died .June 12tli, 
1780. She left two daughters, viz. : 

1. Betsey, born April 1, 1778; married to Capt. James 

Breath, October 16, 1800; died, Feb. 12, 1859. 

2. Rebecca, still living, born June 10, 1780; married 

Ovid Goldsmith, May 12, 1827. Mr. Goldsmith was 
captain of a vessel, and went whaling. He subsequently 
left the sea, and became an inspector of lime in Athens, 
Greene County, N. Y. He died of cholera, on the 18th 
August, 1832. Tliey had no children. 

(27) Lieutenant-Genekal William Tryo.x was bred to the 
profession of arms. He became Lieutenant and Captain of 
the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, October ■> ' 1751, and on 



48 NOTES. 

tlie 30th September, 1758, was raised to a Captaincy, and to 
be a Lientenant-Colonel in the Guards. In 17<)4 he was 
appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Xorth Carolina, wliere he 
arrived October 27th, and on the death of Governor Dobbs 
in 1705, he succeeded him in command of that colony. He 
continued to administer the government there until July, 1771, 
when he was made Governor of New York. He was pro- 
moted to a Colonelcy in the army. May 25, 1772 ; became 
3d Major of the Guards, June 8, 1775 ; Major-General, August 
29, 1777; and Colonel of the 7th Eegiment, May 25, 1778. 
His career in America was as notorious as it was odious. 
On the 21st March, 1780, he resigned the government of New 
York, and was succeeded by Gen. Robertson. Gen. Tyron 
returned to England, and on the 20tli November, 1782, was 
appointed Lieutenant-General, and on the 16th August, 1783, 
Colonel of the 29th Foot. He died at liis house, in Upper 
Grosvenor-street, Lcmdon, on the 27th January, 1788, and his 
i-emains were deposited in the family vault at Twickenham, 
England. 

(io) The burning of Danbury, Connecticut, took place on the 
26th April, 1777. The British force amounted to about 
2,000 men, and was under the command of Major-General 
Tryon. " He embarked at New York, and passing through 
Long Island Sound, landed at Compo, between Fairfield and 
Norwalk, vvlience he advanced through the country, almost 
undisturbed, to Danbury. On his approach, Col. Huntington, 
who had occupied the town with 100 militia and continental 
troops, retired to a neighboring height, where he waited for 
reent'urcements. The l^ritish destroyed 18 houses, 800 barrels 
of pork and beef, 800 barrels of flour, 2,000 bushels of grain, 



NOTES. 49 

and 1,700 tents. Generals Wooster, Arnold and Silliniau, 
hastily collecting several Imndred of the inhabitants, pro- 
ceeded that night through a heavy rain to Bethel, about eight 
miles from Danbury. The next morning they divided their 
troops, and General Wooster, with about 300 men, fell in their 
rear, while Arnold, with about 500, by a rapid movement, 
took post in their front at Ridgefield. Wooster coming up 
with them about eleven in the morning of the 27tli, attacked 
them with great gallantry. A sharp skirmish ensued, in 
which he was mortally wounded, and his troops were com- 
pelled to give way. The enemy proceeded to Ridgefield, 
where Arnold, who had barricaded the road, warmly disputed 
the passage; but after a skirmish of nearly an hour, being 
compelled to give way, he retreated to Saugatuck, about three 
miles east of Norwalk. The royalists, having remained that 
night at Ridgefield, set fire to the place, and early next morn- 
ing resumed their march. Arnold met them again about 
eleven, and a continued skirmishing was kept up until five in 
the afternoon, when, on their making a stand at a hill near 
their ships, the Americans charged them with intrepidity, but 
were repulsed and broken. The enemy immediately re- 
embarked for New York. Their killed, wounded and missing 
amounted to about 170; the loss of the Americans was not 
admitted to exceed 100." This predatory excursion was 
shortly after retaliated by Lieutenant-Colonel Return J. Meigs, 
in the surprise of Sag Harbour, and the destruction of a large 
amount of property at that place. 

Holmes' American Aiwals. vol. ii., p. 203. 

Another writer, in alluding to the destruction of property, etc.. 
by the British at Danbury, says : 

"We had an ample opportunity to see the devastation 



50 Ni »l Er*. 

caused there by the British. The towu had been laid in 
ashes, a number of the inhabitants murdered and cast into 
their burning houses, because they presumed to defend their 
persons and j)roperty, or to be avenged on a cruel, vindictive, 
invading enemy. I saw the inhabitants, after the fire was out, 
endeavouring to find tlie burnt bones of their relatives amongst 
the rubbish of their demolished houses. The streets, in many 
places, were literally flooded by the fat which ran fi-om the 
piles of barrels of pork burnt by the enemy." 

^Martin's Narrative, p. id. 

Pee also 

Connecticut Journal. April 30. 1777. 
Pennsylvania Journal, May 14. 1777. 
Game, Jlay 12 and 19. 1777 
Pennsylvania Gazette, May 14, 1777. 
Pennsylvania Eve. Post, May 22, 1777. 

(29) FoKT Montgomery was on the west side of the Hudson 
River, opposite St. Anthony's Nose. The fort was constructed 
pursuant to a resolution of Congress of August 18, 1775, and 
was intended for defence of the river. Huge booms and a 
powerful iron chain were constructed, and stretched across 
the river from this point. This chain was about 1,800 feet 
long, and was composed of links a little over two feet in 
length, weighing each 140 pounds, and was fixed to huge 
blocks on each shore and under the cover of batteries on both 
sides of the river. It was manufactured by Peter Townsend, 
of Chester, and several links of it are still preserved, and are 
to be seen at the Head-quarters at Newburgh. The fortifica- 
tions and obstructions were all made under the direction of 
Capt. Thomas Macbin, a gallant officer of the Revolution, and 
an engineer of rare skill and genius. 



NOTKS. 51 

(so) Verplanck's Point derives its name tVoiu Pliilip Vei-- 
planck, who married the only granddaughter and heiress of 
Steplien Van Oortlandt, who purchased tlie land from the 
Indians. Previous to this it had borne the name of Meahagh. 
Tlie point rises gradually from the river's brink, and ter- 
minates in a bold bluff of forty or fifty feet in height. This 
was the spot where Hendrick Hudson first brought his ship, 
the Half Moon, to anchor, after leaving the mouth of the 
Hudson River. A small fortification once existed on the 
western extremity of the point, and was called Fort Lafayette. 
Verplanck's Point Avas at (me time the head-quarters of 
Gen. Washington. 

(31) Fort Clinton stood on the west side of the Hudson, 
and nearly adjoining Fort Montgomery, the two forts being 
separated by a creek, over which a bridge had been erected. 
Fort Clinton was erected pursuant to a resolution of Congress 
of August 18, 1775, and was intended to defend the river 
against the approach of any hostile naval force. It stood 
upon an eminence, and was the principal fort in the Highlands. 

(3..) Forts Montgomery and Clinton were considered the 
main defences of the highlands, and were placed under the 
command of Governor Clinton, and garrisoned with the best 
troops. Collateral eftbrts were made to render the river 
impassable to the enemy's ships. Chevaux-de-frize were sunk, 
a boom was extended from shore to shore, and armed vessels 
were stationed in positions where they could act with the 
most powerful effect. These precautions, added to the natural 
strength of the forts, determined Sir Henry Clinton, who con- 
sidered their subjugation indispensable to the success of his 



52 NOTES. 

further designs, to employ stratagem, in preference to an open 
;uid uiiequivoca] demonstration to ])ossess himself of liolds 
which required little more than vigilance to render them 
unconquerable. By a succession of deceptive movements, 
therefore, he impressed General Putnam, who commanded 
tliat district, with a belief that his object was Fort Inde- 
pendence, which was situated four or five miles below Fort 
Montgomery, and on the opposite side of the river. Having 
drawn the attention of Gen. Putnam to Fort Independence, 
Sir Henry Clinton debarked the troops intended for the attack 
on the west side of Stony Point, and marching them into the 
rear of Fort Montgomery, commenced the assault. Alarmed 
by the noise of the firing. Gen. Putnam discovered his error, 
and detached a reinforcement of five hundred men to the 
garrisons which were in such imminent peril ; but, before 
their arrival. Fort Montgomerj^ was in the possession of the 
British troops. Governor Clinton adopted every means which 
skill could devise, or valor execute, to save the posts intrusted 
to his charge ; and, in consequence of the extensiveness of his 
lines, he was compelled to leave them but imperfectly manned 
at many points. He defended them with effect, until darkness 
came on, when the enemy succeeded in making an entrance. 
The loss of the garrison was stated at 250 men, and that of the 
British was said to be greater. After the fall of Forts Mont- 
gomery and Clinton, Gen. Putnam retired to Fishkiil, and 
waited for such reinforcements as might enable him to resume 
offensive operations, while the British general (Vanghan) 
proceeded up the river, and destroyed Continental Tillage 
and Esopns. On the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne, however, 
he made a retrograde movement, and, after reducing FcM'ts 
JSfontgomery and Clinton to ashes, returned to Xew York. 



NOTES. 53 

The foUowin!^ articles in regard to this subject, we Hud published iti 
the papers of the day : 

" I have now the pleasure to felicitate you on our taking 
tlie forts Montgomery and Clinton by stonn. It was effected 
last night [Oct. 6]. The garrisons in both places consisted of 
twelve hundred rebels. Of our detachment, we lost Mungo 
Campbell, Lieutenant Colonel of the 52d, and Major Sill of the 
63d. Major Grant, of the New York Volunteers, was killed a 
little before the attack, which was commanded by Colonel 
Mungo Campbell. My old acquaintance, George TurnbuU, 
late captain in the Royal American Regiment, was ordered to 
take the command of Grant's corps. He has acquired great 
honor, being the first that entered Fort Montgomery, after 
losing one officer and eight privates. Sir Henry Clinton, who 
himself narrowly escaped the enemy's grape-shot, in con- 
sideration of his very gallant behavior, has appointed him 
Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of the New York Volun- 
teers, in room of the brave Major Grant. The gallant 
Count Gabrouski, lately arrived from England, has died of his 
wounds. Amongst the prisoners is Colonel William Allison, 
of the Drowned Lands, whose son was killed in the fort. 
This person is a member of the provincial congress for the 
State (as it is termed) of New York. Also young William 
Livingston, late of New York, in tlie profession of tlie law. 
A great part of the twelve hundred rebels, who garrisoned 
the forts Montgomery and Clinton, or were not killed or 
prisoners, made their escape, as it was very dark when the 
forts were taken. The forbearance and humanity shown by 
all the troops to the rebels after they became their con- 
querors, was astonishing ; and savored of that benign temper 
which ever characterizes the army of Great Britain." 

Gaine. Oct. 11. 1777. 



.)4 NOTKS. 

•' New Yokk, No'vember 8. 

Saturday, sen' night the Bridge hiid over 

the Clove, between the Forts Montgomery and Clinton, was 

destroyed ; and the Troops, after demolishing the latter, 

embarked on board the Transports, and arrived here the 

next evening.'' 

Gaine, Monday, November 3. 1777. 

See also 

New York Journal, May 11, 1778. 

Ruttenber's Obsti'uctions on the Hudson River, p. 64. 

Gordon's American IVar, vol. ii., p. 555. 

Holmes' American Annals, vol. ii.. p. 276. 

Simms'' Hist. Schoharie Co.. p. 550. 

Eager's Orange Co., pp. 571-579 and 594-6. 

Sparks' Washington, vol. v., pp. 471-476. 

(33) The following advertisement we take from one of the news- 
papers of the period : 

•' Public Attction — 

At the Coffee House on Wednesday, will be sold 
the personal effects of the late Col. Campbell. 

On Thursday, at 11 o'Clock at the regimental store in 
Queen-street, near Beekman-slip, the regimental effects of the 
late Lieut. Col. Campbell. 

All persons who have any regimental demands on the effects 
of the late Lieut. Col. Campbell, of the 52d regt. are desired 
forthwith to deliver an account of the same to the quarter 
master of said regt. that they may be satisfied." 

Gaine. Monday, November 17, 1777. 

(34) Alsop Hunt and James Hunt were leather dressers 
and glove and breeches manufacturers in the city of New 
York. They carried on the business under the firm-name ot^ 



NOTES. 55 

Alsop & James Hunt. In 1789 and 1790 they were located at 
No. 212 Qneen, now Pearl-street, and in 1791 were at No. 54 
Water-street. They seem to have dissolved in tJie course of 
this year, as we find Alsop in the year following carrying on 
the business alone, at No. 212 Queen-street. James and his 
wife died of the yellow fever about the year 1798. Alsoj) 
moved to New Jersey, whei-e he died some years later. 

(35) Major-General Israei, Pptxam was tlie son of Oapt. 
Joseph Putnam, and was born in Salem, Mass., on the 7th day 
of January, 1718. His boyhood was passed in the labors of a 
farm and in athletic exercises, in the latter of whicli he seems 
to have excelled. His biographer, Mr. Cutter, -informs us that 
he was also remarkably successful in climbing trees, robbing 
nests, and causing sorrow to small birds. In 1739, being then 
in his 21st year, Putnam moved to Pomfret, Conn., where he 
subsequently pursued the avocation of a farmer. It is here 
that he is said to have been engaged in tlie conflict with a 
famous she- wolf, and it is to this day an unsettled point which 
acquired from the contest the greatest celebrity, Putnam or 
the wolf. His next service was in the old French war, in 
which he commanded a company of Provincials, and where he 
did some duty as a scout ; but he seems to have been mostly 
distinguished at this period for liis remarkable escapes from 
death, first by the bullet, then by the tomahawk, and lastly at 
the stake. By the kindly interposition of Col. Schuyler, who 
represented him to be " a useless old man,'" Putnam was at 
length released from imprisonment, and at the conclusion of 
the war, returned to his farm. Soon after the battle of Lex- 
ington, Putnam obtained command of a regiment of Connec- 
ticut troo})s. and in a short time after, by some cute manage- 



56 NOTES. 

ment or unaccountable good fortune, was promoted to the 
rank of a Major-General. We next liear of him at the battle 
of Bunker's Hill, not as one of the gallant combatants, but as 
a spectator of that eventful conflict, and the only service he 
appears to have rendered on that occasion, was in kee|)ing 
watch over a lot of spades, pickax'es, and other intrenching 
tools. At the battle of Brooklyn in lYTfi, he appears as 
Commander-in-Chief of the American forces, and here, by 
his neglect to guard the main passes, he allowed the enemy to 
gain his rear, and the result was the complete defeat of the 
Continental army, the loss of some 3,000 men killed, wounded 
and captured, and the subsequent occupation of New York by 
the enemy. After this, Putnam was placed in command at the 
Highlands, and here, instead of profiting by his experience at 
Long Island, he repeated the mistake he made there, and by 
his neglect, lost those important posts, Forts Montgomery and 
Clinton, with some 2,000 of the best troops in the army. In 
consequence of Putnam's incai)acity, which now became too 
evident to be longer concealed, he was at length relieved of 
command, and ordered to Connecticut on recruiting service, a 
position much better suited to his abilities. Putnam's last 
command was at West Point, where he did not long continue, 
for he was soon after seized with a paralytic affection, which 
disqualified him for further duty. He took up his residence at 
Brooklyn, Conn., where he died on the 29th day of May, 1790, 
when about 72 years of age. Gen. Putnam was a man of 
strong frame and robust constitution. He was quick in his 
temper, rough in his manner, and though lamentably ignorant, 
very conceited and headstrong. Though fitted very well for 
a farmer, a hunter, or for some subordinate partisan duty, yet 
he seems to have wanted that coolness, sagacity, and power 



NOTES. 5';^ 

of combination so essential in a commanding officer, aud so 
imperatively required in a commander-in-chief. It is not sur- 
pnsmg, therefore, that in that capacity, he should have acted 
only to ensure defeat and disgrace. 

(36j Our author is not the only one who has blamed 
Gen. Putnam for the loss of Forts Montgomery and Clinton, 
and charged him with incapacity. It was a common report 
among those who were engaged in the defence of those forts 
as well as among those who resided in the vicinity of them 
that mstead of attending to his duties as he should have done 
he was intently engaged in a game of chess with a beautiful 
lady (said to be a daughter of Beverly Robinson, a noted tory) 
and that when warned of the threatened danger, he absolutely 
refused to leave the game, and did not do so until all hope of 
savmg those posts had fled. 

The following extracts, which we take from a work 
erititled "The Lives of Thomas, Knowlton, Scam.uel and 
Dearborn, by Charles Coffin," published in New York in 
1845 [see pages 210-212], will show the opinion entertained 
of Gen. Putnam by some of the worthies of the Eevolution 
who had the best opportunities of judging of his character: 

-'John Adams, in a letter to his wife, dated Baltimore, Feb. 21, 1777, 
says : 

" I sincerely wish we could hear more from General Heath 
Many persons are extremely dissatisfied with numbers of the 
general officers of the highest rank. I don't mean the 
Commander-in-Chief-his character is justly verv high-but 
Pntnam, Spencer, and Heath, are thought ly very few to be 
capable of the high commands they hold. We hear of none of 
their heroic deeds in arms. I wish they would all resign.'' ' 



58 NOTES. 

About the same time, Robert U. Livingston, then Chancellor of New 
York, in a letter to Washington, uses the following plain language : 

" Yonr Excellency is not ignorant <>f tlie extent of Gen. 
Putnam's capacity and diligence ; and how well soever they 
may qualify him for this important command [the Highlands], 
the prejudices to which his imprudent levity to the disaffected, 
and too great intercovrse icith the enemy^ have given I'ise, 
have greatly injured his influence. How far the loss of Fort 
Montgomery and the subsequent ravages of the enemy are to 
he attributed to him, T will not venture to say, as this will 
necessarily be determined by a Court of Inquiry, whose 
determination I would not anticipate. Unfortunately for liiin. 
the current of popular opinion in this and the iieighioring 
States, and so far as lean learn, in the troojis imder his co7n- 
maml, runs strongly against him. For my own pai't, I 
sincerely lament that his patriotism will not suffer him to 
take that repose to which his age and past services justly 
entitle him.'''' 

(lovernor Clinton also wrote pressingly to Washington requesting the 
removal of Putnam from the command in the Highlands. 

In 1777, Congress appointed Governor Clinton a general officer in 
the army of the United States, and gave him the command on the 
North River, because, as President Hancock, in a letter to Clinton, 
says — " an active and vigilant officer was required at that post." But 
Clinton's business as governor was so pressing, that he was compelled 
to decline the appointment, which continued Putnam in the command 
till March, 1778. In the latter part of 1777. after the surrender of Bur- 
goyne's army, Washington was so desirous to be reinforced, in the 
vicinity of Philadelphia, by troops on the Hudson, under Gates and 
Putnam, that he sent Hamilton, his aid, to hasten their m:irch, for his 
letters to them had not had the desired effect. Hamilton did not find 
either of those Generals disposed to comply with Washington's orders, 



NOTES. 59 

givea through him. He addressed many letters to Washington on this 
subject, and in one, dated November 12, 1777, he says : 

" By a letter of yesterday, Gen. Poor iutbrms me he would 
certainly march this morning. I must do him the justice to 
say, he appears solicitous to join you, and that I believe the 
past delay is not owing to any fault of his, but is wholly 
chargeable to Gen. Putnam. Indeed, Sir, I owe it to the 
service to say, that every part of this gentleman's conduct is 
marled with blunders and negligence and gives general 
disgust.'''' 

Again Hamilton sa^ys : 

''I doubt whether he will attend to anything I shall say^ 
notwithstanding it comes in the shape of a positive order:' 

Col. Hamilton had the satisfaction of receiving a letter from Wash- 
ington, of November 15, 1777, in which the Commander-in-Chief says : 

" Dear Sir,— I have duly received your several favors from 
the time you left me to that of the 12th instant. I approve 
entirely of all the steps you have taken, and have only to 
wish that the exertions of those you have had to deal with had 
Tceptpace with your zeal and good intentions.'' 

Putnam's disobedience of the orders of Washington, which prevented 
the latter from even attempting the capture of Howe, which he had 
determined to effect, deeply affected Washington's mind : and we find 
in a letter dated Valley Forge, March 6, 1778, he thus expresses him- 
self in reference to the command of Rhode Island : 

" They also know with more certainty than I do, wliat will 
be the determination of Congress respecting Gen. Putnam ; 
and of course whether the appointment of him to such a com- 
mand as that at Rhode Island would fall within their views. 



60 NOTES. 

It being incumbent on me to observe, tliat with such materials 
a» I am, furnished^ the worlc must go on — whether well or ill 
is anotJier matter. If., therefore, he and otliers are not laid 
aside, they mnst he placed where they can least injure the 
service.'''' 

la a letter of Wiishiugton to Putuaui, dated Valley Forge, Itltli 
March, 1778, lie says : 

" Gen. McDougall is to take command of the posts iu the 
Highlands. My reason for making this change is owing to the 
prejudices of the peojjle, which tchether well or ill grounded, 
must he indulged; and I slionld tliink myself wanting in 
justice to the public and candor towards you, were I to con- 
tinue you in a command, after I have been, almost in direct 
terms, informed that the ])eople of the State of N'etc- York wdl 
not render the necessary siq^j^ort and assistance, ichile yo'>i 
remain at the head of that department.'" 

See also Sparks' Life and fVi-itingsof IVashington. vol. 5. pp. 2i~iO-2^i4. 

(37) The Bear Market, or Hudson Market, as it liad been 
previously called, was erected in the year 17Y1, and stood in 
Washington street, between Fulton and Vesey streets, near the 
water's edge. It derived the name of Bear Market from the 
circumstance that bear meat was the first kind of meat that 
was there exposed for sale. Upon its site, the present Wash- 
ington Market was erected. This market was opened in the 
year 1813. The building is a spacious one, and is built of 
brick, and exclusively appropriated to the use of licensed 
butchers. At the ends of the wings and parallel to the front 
part, there is a wooden building for the accommodation of 
country people. Below this and close to the Hudson River 



i 



NOTES. 1 

stiiiuls the Fish Market, which is likewise Imilt of wood. 
The Washington market is oiiierty patronized by the popuhi- 
tion of the southern and western parts of the city. Tlie 
products of the Nortli River country tind their princijjal sale 
here. 

(s8) The Old City Hall stood at the corner of Wall and 
Nassau streets, facing Broad street. It was constructed of the 
materials of a stone bastion in the line of the wall of defence 
along Wall street. After it was built, it is on record that it 
was " ordered that it be embellished with the arms of the 
King, and the Earl of J3ellamont,''' which when done, the cor- 
poration ordered that the latter should be taken down and 
broken. The City Hall was erected in the year 1700, and 
was the proper prison of the city, having before it on Broad 
street, a whipping-post, pillory, etc. In the building were 
held the sessions of the Provincial Assembly, the Supreme 
Court, and the Mayor and Admiralty Courts. While the 
British held possession of the city, they used the City Hall as 
a guard-house for the main guard. There were dungeons 
below for the confinement of prisoners. At first only civil 
ofifenders were incarcerated there, but subsequently it became 
the place of imprisonment for whale- boatmen and robbers. 
During the latter part of the Avar the refugee clergymen 
preached in a court room on the second floor. While the 
building was occupied by the enemy, it was much injured by 
them, and they broke up and plundered the New York Society 
Library, then contained in one of the rooms. >Vn eye-witness 
has affirmed that the soldiers were in the habit of carrying off 
the books in their knapsacks, and bartering them away for 
grog. After the Eevolution, the building was fitted up under 



62 N0TKt5. 

the direction of the engineer. Major L'Enfant, for tlie recep- 
tion of the first Federal Congress. It was here in tlie open 
gallery, in front of the Senate Chamber, in the view of an 
iintnense concourse of citizens collected on Broad street, that 
Washington took the oath of office as President of the United 
States, before Chancellor Livingston. The superb quarto 
Bible upon which the oath was taken, is still preserved 
by St. John's Lodge No. ]. Washington, on this occasion, 
was clad in a suit of brown cloth, of American manufacture — 
a steel-hilted sword by his side — his hair in a bag, and full 
])owdered — silk hose and shoes with silver buckles. After 
the removal of Congress, the building was again occupied 
for city purposes, and continued to be thus used until the 
year 1813, when the " Old Federal Hnll^'''' as it had been 
latterly called, was demolished, and its site is now occupied 
by the fine marble V)uilding known as •' The Custom 
Ho^ise."" 

(39) John Simmons was a noted tavern keeper in the city 
of New York. He carried on his business for many yeai's in 
Wall, corner of Nassau street. It is believed that he had at 
one time the charge of the Old City Hall. He died about the 
year 1796. Mr. Simmons was a large, fleshy man, and on 
the day of his funeral, it was found necessary to cut away the 
street door of his house in order to let his coffin pass. T'nlike 
most persons of obesity, he appears to have been of a petulant 
disposition, and is said to have been the terror of children, 
who would run when they saw him coming. He was well 
know^n to the urchins of his day by the irreverent cognomen 
of " Old Simmons.'''' After his death, his widow conducted 
.the business for some years. 



NOTES. 63 

(jo) Tlie " N'ew Jail," or tlie " Provost,'''' a,s it was called 
in the Revolution, was a square, stone edifice, with a cupola, 
and was erected in 1758, in the Park, then known as the 
'• Commons." Many interesting incidents are connected with 
the history of this building and its vicinity. Here Capt. 
afterwards Gen. McDougall was confined by the General 
Assembly, for what they called a libel ; and here he was 
visited by the patriotic gentlemen and ladies who sympathized 
with him. When the British took possession of the city, they 
converted this building into a place of confinement for tlie 
" more notorious rebels, civil, naval and military. An admis- 
sion into this modern bastile was enough to appal the stoutest 
heart. On the right of the main door was Capt. Cunning- 
ham's quarters ; opposite to which was the guard-room, and 
within the first barricade was Sergeant O'Keefe's apartment. 
At the entrance door two sentinels were always posted, day 
and night. Two more were at the first and second barricades. 
These barricades were grated, barred and chained. Otlier 
sentinels were at the rear door, and on the platform at the 
grated door at the foot of the second flight of stairs, leading 
to the rooms and cells in the second and third stories. When 
a prisoner, escorted by soldiers, was led into the hall, the 
whole guard was paraded, and he Avas delivered over, with 
all formality, to Captain Cunningham or his deputy, and 
questioned as to his name, rank, size, age, etc., all of which 
were entered in a record-book. With the bristling of arms, 
unbolting of bars and locks, the clanking of enormous iron 
chains, and a vestibule as dark as Erebus, the unfortunate 
captive might well shrink under this infernal sight and parade 
of tyrannical power, as he crossed the threshold of that 
door which possibly closed on him for life. The northeast 



64 NOTES. 

chamber, turning to the left, on the second floor, was appro- 
priated to officers and characters of superior rank and dis- 
tinction, and was called ' Congress Hall.' So closely were 
the prisoners packed, that when they lay down at night to 
rest, when their bones ached on the hard oak planks, and 
they wished to turn, it was altogether by word of command — 
' right — left.'' So wedged and compact were they, that they 
formed almost a solid mass of human bodies. In the daytime 
the packs and blankets of the prisoners were suspended 
around the walls, every precaution being used to keep the 
rooms ventilated, and the walls and floors clean, to prevent 
the jail fever. As the Provost was generally crowded with 
American prisoners, and British culprits of every description, 
it is really wonderful that infection never broke out within its 
walls. In this gloomy, terrific abode were incarcerated, at 
different periods, many American oflicers and citizens of dis- 
tinction, awaiting with sickening hope and tantalizing expec- 
tation the protracted period of their exchange and liberation. 
Could those dumb walls speak, what scenes of anguish, what 
tales of agonizing woe might they not disclose. Among 
other characters who were there at the same time, were the 
famous Col. Ethan Allen, and Judge Fell, of Bergen County, 
New Jersey. When Capt. Cunningham entertained the young 
British officers accustomed to command the Provost guard, by 
dint of curtailing the prisoners' rations, exchanging good for 
bad provisions, and other embezzlements practiced, the cap- 
tain, his deputy, and indeed the commissaries generally, were 
enabled to fare sumptuously. In the drunken orgies that 
usually terminated his dinners, the captain would order the 
rebel prisoners to turn out and parade for the amusement of 
his guests, pointing them out, " this is the damned rebel 



NOTES, 65 

Col. Etlian Allen— that a rebel Judge," etc. The treatment 
of the prisoners was as rigid as can be conceived. "They 
were closely coutiued in jail, withoiit distinction of rank or 
cliaracter, amongst felons (a number of whom were under 
sentence of death), and their friends were not suffered to 
speak to them, even through the grates. They were com- 
pelled to subsist upon the scanty weekly allowance of two 
pounds of hard biscuit, and two pounds of raw pork per man, 
with no fuel to dress it. They were frequently supplied with 
water from a pump, where all kinds of filth that could render 
it obnoxious and unwholesome, was thrown (the effects of 
which were too often felt), and at the same time good water 
was as easily obtained. They were denied the benefit of a 
hospital, were not allowed to send for medicine, and no 
doctor permitted to visit them, even when they were in the 
greatest distress. Married men and others who lay at the 
point of death w'ere . refused the attendance of their wives or 
relatives, and those who attempted to gain admission were 
often beaten from the prison. Commissioned officers and other 
persons of character, without a cause were thrown into a 
loathsome dungeon, insulted in a gross manner, and vilely 
abused by a Provost marshal who was allowed to be one of 
the basest characters in the British army, and whose power 
was so unlimited that he caned an officer on a trivial occasion, 
and frequently beat the sick privates when unable to stand, 
many of whom were daily obliged to enlist in the New Corps, 
to prevent perishing for want of the necessaries of life. 
Neither pen, ink or paper was allowed — to prevent their 
treatment being made public— the consequence of which, the 
prisoners themselves dreaded, knowing the malignant dispo- 
sition of their keeper." " It is said that Cunningham was 



66 NOTES. 

ouly restrained from putting the prisoners to death, live or six 
of thera of a night (back of tlie prison yard), by the distress 
of certain women in the neighborhood, who, pained by the 
ories for mercy which they heard, went to the Commander- 
in-chief, to whom they made tlie case known, and entreated 
him to discontinue the practice." After the Revokition the 
Provost was again used as a city jail, and was for some 
time the place of confinement for insolvent debtors, from 
which circumstance it obtained the name of the " Debtor's 
Prison." The building was subsequently altered for its 
])resent purpose, and is now known as the ^' Hall of Records.''' 

(41) Susannah LectOett was the daughter of John Leggett, 
of West Farms, by his wife Sarah, and was born in West- 
chester County, N. Y., on the 23d day of July, 1758. She 
was married on the 3d day of February, 1779, to Abner 
Everitt, of Pennsylvania, who was by occupation a farmer. 
She died in Belvidere, N. J., on the 23d day of January, 1848, 
in the 90th year of her age. Her husband died in Pennsyl- 
vania on the 3d day of August, i794, at the age of 40 years 
and six months. They had nine children, of whom there 
were four sons and five daughters. Abner Everitt was an 
officer in the army of the Revolution, and was at one time a 
])risoner with the enemy. There is a portrait of Mrs. Everitt, 
taken in her old age, and said to be an excellent likeness, in 
possession of her daughter, Mrs. John C. Van Allen, of this city. 

(4a) Andrew Norwood was the husband of Mary Leggett, 
and brother-in-law to Major Leggett. Mr. Norwood was a 
shoemaker by trade. After the war he carried on the business 
at No. 12 Princess (now Beaver) street for many years. 



NOTES. 67 

(43) The surrender of Burgoyne and his army on tlie 17th 
of October, 1777, w,as by far tlie most fatal disaster wliich had 
occurred to the British in this country. Wiiile it gave for 
some time a death blow to their hopes of conquest, it inspired 
the Americans with a confidence to which many of them had 
heretofore been strangers. In every part of the country the 
news was considered important, but to the inhabitants of this 
city, which at that time consisted chiefly of British soldiers, 
sailors and royalists, the tidings must have been terrible 
indeed. It was now evident that the Americans had the 
ability to take care of themselves, and the consequence was, 
that they soon found friends who were not only able, but 
willing and ready to assist them. 

(44) "William Cunningham, the Provost-Marshal, used every 
precaution to keep the defeat of Burgoyne from the know- 
ledge of his prisoners. He set a watch upon all persons 
visiting the Provost, that no communication of the fact might 
be made. A Miss Margaret Lent, who lived near the prison, 
and visited it frequently, with food, determined to inform the 
prisoners of our brilliant and cheering victory. She accord- 
ingly baked a letter containing the account in a loaf of hread. 
She carried it to the Provost, and directed that it should not 
be dispensed until she had time to reach her home. She was 
hardly across the threshold when a thundering shout from the 
prison announced to the keeper that the glorious achievement 
at Saratoga was no longer a secret. This intelligence, it is 
said, strengthened souls almost crushed by despair, for in it 
they saw glimmerings of our final triumph. 

(45) Capt. .James Breath was born in the city of New 
York on the 7th October, 1771. He was married to Betsey, 



68 NoTKS. 

eldest (laughter of Major Leggett, on the 16th October, 1800. 
He was for many years captain of a merchant ship, sailing 
from New York to China. He afterwards left the sea, and 
went into the shipping business, in which occupation he 
remained for some time. In 1819, he moved to Marine 
Settlement, Hlinois, where he died, October 26th, 1843. His 
wife, who was born at North Salem, N. Y., April 1st, 1778, 
died on the 12th February, 1859, in her 82d year, at the 
residence of her daughter in Danville, Kentucky. Capt. 
Breath had nine children, viz. : 

James Saundees Breath, born in New York, March 18, 1802. 

Elizabeth Beeatii " " Jan. 9, 1804. 

Died, Sept., 1820. 

Abraham Beeath " " Dec. 1, 1805. 

Edwaed Beeath " " Jan. 22, 1808. 

Died, Nov. 18, 1861. 

John Beeath " " Sept. 20, 1809. 

Died, Nov. 27, 1863. 

Wm. Leggett Beeath. . . " " June 17, 1811. 

Rebecca Leggett Beeath " " Nov. 15, 1813. 

Died, Jan. 10, 1854. 

Maey Adeline Beeath. . " " Dec. 15, 1815. 

Samuel M. Beeath " " Oct. 17, 1817. 



(45) Cathaeine Wiley, who became the second wife of 
Major Leggett, was the daughter of an officer who was killed 
in the French war. She was born in the town of New 
Rochelle, Westchester County, N. Y., on the twenty-second 
day of July, in the year 1762. She was married to Major 
Leggett in New Rochelle, Jan. 3, 1784. She died in the 



NOTKS. 69 

city of New York, on the tweuty-nintli day of Nov., 1839. 
They had nine children, viz. : 

1. Abeaham Alsop Leggett, born in Charleston, S. C, Oct. 

23, 1785. 

2. Makt Norwood Leggett, born in Savannah, Ga., Aug. 1, 

1788. 

3. Saeaii Wiley Leggett, born in Savannah, Ga., Aug. 23, 

1790. Died, Nov. 30, 1791. 

4. Saeah Leggett, born in Savannah, Ga., Dec. 15, 1792. 

5. Louisa Leggett, born in Savannah, Ga., March 13, 1795. 

Died, April 20, 1820. 

6. Jane Leggett, born in Savannah, Ga., July 26, 1797. 

Died, Aug. 10, 1865. 

7. Wm. W. Leggett, born in Savannah, Ga., Nov. 15, 1799. 

Died, Feb. 11, 1800. 

8. William Leggett (Editor, etc.), born in Savannah, Ga., 

April 30, 1801. Died, May 29, 1839. 

9. Catharine Wiley Leggett, born in Savannah, Ga., March 

19, 1804. Died, May 9, 1850. 

{^^) Geoege Clinton was the youngest son of Col. Charles 
Clinton, and was born in Ulster, now Orange County, N. Y., 
on the 26th July, 1739. He studied law under William 
Smith, and soon rose to distinction. In 1775 he was a mem- 
ber of the Colonial Assembly, and in May of the same year, 
took his seat as a member of Congress. On the 25th March, 
1777, he was appointed a Brigadier-General, and in April 
following, he became Governor of New Y^ork. On the advance 
of the British up the Hudson in October of that year, he took 
command of Fort Montgomery, where he and his brother 
James made a most gallant defence, and on being over- 



70 NOTES. 

powered by the enemy, he, with his brother, escaped under 
cover of the night. In the year 1801, he was again chosen 
Governor of New York, and in 1804, became A'ice-President 
of the United States, which office he held at the time of his 
death. He was a man of great energy of character, and was 
possessed of most undaunted courage. He was distinguished 
as a soldier, a statesman and a patriot, and figures on the 
pages of history as one of the most illustrious characters of the 
revolution. He died at Wasiiington, I). C, April 20th, 1812, 
in the 78d year of his age. 

(48) FoET Slongo was a strong military post at Treadwell's 
Xeck, near Smithtown, Long Island. It was erected by a 
party of Tory wood-cutters, about one hundred and fifty in 
number, who committed many outrages and depredations. In 
the month of October, 1781, Major Benjamin Tallraadge 
attacked the fort, and destroyed it, carrying off a brass 
3-pounder, the colors of the fort, seventy stand of arms, and a 
quantity of ammunition, besides taking a number of prisoners, 
and all without the loss of a man. He gives the following 
account of the expedition : 

" The fortress at Treadwell's Neck, called Fort Slongo, 
seemed to deuaand attention, as the next in course to Fort 
St. George, which we had already taken. On the 1st of 
October, I moved my detachment of light infantry into tlie 
neighborhood of Norwalk. At the same time I directed a 
suitable number of boats to assemble at the mouth of the 
Saugatuck Eiver, East of the town of Norwalk, and on the 
jevening of the 2nd of October, 1781, at 9 o'clock, I embarked 
a part of my detachment, and placed Major Trescot at tlie 
head of it, with orders to assail the fort at a i)articular point. 



NOTES. 71 

The troops landed on Long Island by 4 o'clock, and at the 

dawn of day the attack was made and the fortress subdued. 

The blockhouse and other combustible materials were burnt, 

and the detachment and prisoners returned in safety.'' 

Memoir of Col. Tallmadge, p. 46. 
See also 

Onderdo7ik's Suffolk and King's Counties, p. 105. 

(49) Timothy Williams was the son of Nathaniel "Williams, 
a farmer of Huntington, L. I. His mother's maiden name 
was Eachel Fleet. She was the daughter of Thomas Fleet, of 
Huntington, who was by occupation a farmer. The subject 
of this note was born in Huntington, on the 25th day of 
December, 1756. He was in the army with Major Leggett 
during a considerable part of the war of the Revolution, 
and there was a most intimate and friendly relation between 
them. Mr. Williams followed the occupation of a merchant 
for many years after the war. He bore the reputation of a man 
of great integrity of character and amiability of disposition. 
He died in Huntington on the 26th day of August, 1811. His 
wife's maiden name was Jane Oakley. Slie was the daughter of 
Wilraot Oakley, a merchant of Sweet Hollow, L. I. She died 
in the city of New York on the 15th day of August, 1860, in 
the 90th year of her age. Mr. Williams had seven sons and 
three daughters. Of these, all are now living, except one 
daughter and two sons. 

(50) Tlie following account of this affair we take from one of tlie 
newspapers of the day : 

"New-York, October 11. 

Monday last were brought to town conducted by 
Captain Luke of the Loyal Refugees, and safely lodged in the 



72 NARRATIVE. 

Provost of this city, the following rebel gentry, viz, Major 
Brush, Capt. Cornelius Oonklin, Oapt. J. Conklin, Capt. 
Rogers, and Lieutenant Faeley, all notorious offenders that 
have been long practiced in coining from the New England 
Shore to murder and plunder the King's loyal subjects on 
Long Island. They were last Saturday taken by Lieutenant 
Pendergrass and a party of Colonel Cuyler's Refugees, at 
Smith Town, with their whale boat and considerable booty. 
A certain Capt. Ketchum, one of the above gang, was killed 
in attempting to make his escape." 

Gaine, Monday, Oct. 16. 1780o 




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